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Most cars have drive systems that power only their front or rear wheels. However, in the case of a four-wheel-drive vehicle, the engine sends power to both the front and rear wheels simultaneously. But what’s the main benefit of driving a four-wheel-drive vehicle? How does it operate differently from a common two-wheel-drive car?
If you’re in the market for a new vehicle, it’s important to understand the different options available. In this article, we’ll go over the features and advantages of the four-wheel-drive system, making it easy for you to determine if vehicles with this drivetrain system are suitable for you.
Table Of Contents
What Is Four-Wheel Drive?
Four-wheel drive, also known as 4WD, is a type of drivetrain system in which the engine sends power to the front and rear wheel axles of the vehicle. In vehicles with the 4WD system, the front and rear driveshafts are locked together, which allows the front and rear axles to rotate at the same speed.
The 4WD system is popular among SUVs and other big off-road vehicles. Because all the wheels of 4WD cars receive traction, these vehicles have optimal traction and better control. This traction is particularly useful in cases where you have to drive uphill, through the snow or over rocky terrain.
A 4WD car works best when you use it regularly as this keeps the system lubricated.
Types of Four-Wheel-Drive Systems
There are three major types of drivetrain arrangements for the 4×4 system.
- Full-time or permanent 4WD: This type of drive system is always active. The car’s engine constantly sends power to all four wheels.
- Manual 4WD: In a manual 4WD car, you can activate and deactivate the four-wheel-drive system as you wish. There is usually a lever or dial on the vehicle’s dashboard that you can use to control the power supply from the drivetrain.
- Automatic 4WD: This four-wheel-drive system varies the amount of power going to each of the four wheels for maximum performance and fuel efficiency.
What is a 4×4 car? Learn more about these vehicles.
4WD Advantages
Four-wheel drive has 4 main advantages.
Better Grip On The Road
Four-wheel drives provide extra grip when accelerating to prevent your vehicle from getting stuck in the mud. This is particularly important for off-road vehicles that you intend to drive on an unpaved road surface or soft sand. The extra grip in 4X4 cars also makes it easy to maintain control of your vehicle, especially when driving through unfavourable weather conditions.
Traction Improvement
Four-wheel drives provide improved traction, ensuring that your vehicle doesn’t get stuck in slippery conditions. The engine in a 4WD car sends power to the front and rear axles, allowing the wheels to work together for better traction and stability. Also, many 4×4 cars have higher ground clearance, which makes it easier to travel through unfavourable terrain.
Additionally, some four-wheel-drive models are equipped with traction control systems or similar technology to prevent slipping when the wheels start spinning on slippery roads.
Great For Off-Roading
Due to the improved grip and traction that it provides on slippery surfaces, the 4WD system is great for off-roading. If you go off-road or travel through uneven surfaces frequently, only a four-wheel drive with specifically engineered off-road tyres will do.
Since four-wheel-drive cars can move even when only one wheel is on the ground, you can travel over very hilly terrain, which is almost impossible for vehicles with front and rear-wheel drivetrains.
Tip: If you get stuck with a 4×4 car, engage 4WD and gradually depress the gas pedal to free the vehicle.
Great For Towing
Weight and power are two of the most important features to look out for when selecting a vehicle that is great for towing. The heavier a car is, the more stable it will be when you attach a trailer or caravan. 4WD cars are heavy and powerful, making them great for towing.
When going uphill with a trailer, you may need to rev the engine hard for maximum power. In two-wheel-drive cars, this only causes squealing because that much power is too much for two wheels. By distributing that power among the four wheels, all of them can contribute to moving the vehicle and trailer.
What Is The Most Important Benefit Of 4WD?
The most important benefit of 4WD is traction improvement. By sending power to all four wheels, the four-wheel drive ensures better grip and handling, making it easier to navigate rough and uneven terrain. As a result, 4WD cars are great for off-roading and other difficult driving tasks. Also, improved traction is responsible for most of the vehicle’s other main benefits.
Read more about SUVs and learn how they relate to 4×4 cars.
4WD Disadvantages
Despite its perks, using a four-wheel-drive car also comes with a few disadvantages.
Purchase Cost
Adding the 4WD system to a car is more expensive than adding the 2WD system because it requires extra parts and technology. Four-wheel-drive cars are more complex and cost more for manufacturers to produce. Therefore, they tend to be more expensive than their two-wheel-drive counterparts. In some cases, 4WD cars cost thousands of dollars more than 2WD cars with similar features.
Maintenance Cost
In addition to the purchase cost, you have to factor in the cost of maintenance. 4WD vehicles have more complex drivetrains, which require frequent maintenance and repairs. Most 4×4 cars have several differentials and transfer cases, which require regular fluid changes. In the event that the differentials or transfer cases get damaged, you have to spend a lot of money to replace them.
Less Fuel Efficiency
The extra weight of the 4WD system and the power that the vehicle generates can lead to bad fuel economy. By simply driving your car on all four wheels rather than just two, you burn more fuel. This is why many modern 4WD vehicles implement a system that can switch between four and two-wheel drive. This can help improve fuel economy when driving in normal conditions.
Tip: Only activate the four-wheel drive system when needed to save as much fuel as possible.
Braking Distance Increment
In 4WD cars, the drivetrain system delivers power to all wheels, ensuring better traction and acceleration. However, this also means that the weight of the vehicle is spread across all four tyres, thereby increasing the vehicle’s stopping distance. In simple terms, it takes longer for your 4×4 car to come to a full halt after hitting the brakes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s The Main Benefit Of Driving A Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicle?
The main benefit of driving a four-wheel-drive vehicle is the extra grip. Four-wheel-drive cars offer better grip, which makes it easier to navigate slippery and dangerous driving conditions. These vehicles are also very powerful, providing enough acceleration and traction to move faster or travel up steep hills. This is why the four-wheel drive (4WD) system is popular among off-roading vehicles.
Why Is 4-Wheel Drive Better Than All-Wheel Drive?
4-wheel drive is better than all-wheel drive because it is fitter for off-roading and heavy hauling. Four-wheel-drive vehicles have a lower range gear ratio than all-wheel-drive vehicles, ensuring better torque and control when moving at slow speeds. Also, due to the engine’s power being distributed to the four wheels, a 4×4 car is less likely to get stuck in deep mud, snow or icy roads.
Are 4-Wheel Drives Safer?
4-wheel drives are safer for anyone who frequently goes off-road due to their increased traction and grip. They are also great in poor weather conditions, such as rain or snow, as they prevent you from skidding off track. However, the increased weight and size of 4×4 vehicles make them difficult to manoeuvre and put them at a higher risk of rollover accidents than lighter vehicles.
Is 4-Wheel Drive More Powerful?
4-wheel drive isn’t always more powerful, but it appears to be that way because of the way the engine distributes power across the four wheels of the vehicle. Due to the even power distribution, all the wheels contribute to the movement of the vehicle. So while a 4×4 car may not have a more powerful engine, it always offers better performance.
What Are The Weaknesses Of 4WD?
The weaknesses of 4WD are its lower fuel efficiency and increased braking distance. Due to the extra weight of the 4×4 system and the vehicle distributing power across all its wheels, 4WD cars tend to consume more fuel than traditional 2WD. Additionally, 4WDs have a high stopping distance, so it often takes longer for the vehicle to come to a halt after hitting the brakes.
Conclusion
Now you can stop asking, ‘What’s the main benefit of driving a four-wheel-drive vehicle?’ Four-wheel drives have many benefits, as you’ve probably realised while reading this article. However, its major advantage is better traction and grip. Anyone switching to the 4WD vehicle will enjoy its ability to navigate rough terrains and unfavourable conditions.
